NIRMALA GYAWALI
Nirmala Gyawali of Durbar Devsthan in Gulmi was born blind, but she understands the world through hearing and touch. She passed her school graduation examinations in the first division. She later won a scholarship to Colorado State University in the United States, from where she graduated. Today, she works for the International Organization for Migration in Kathmandu. Though she is blind, Nirmala believes she is “as capable as others.”
My Beautiful World of Sound and Touch
I was studying at Colorado State University when one day a friend attempted to commit suicide by firing a gun through his temple. Luckily, he did not die, but he lost his eyesight at the age of 22. Everyone, including his parents and friends, was shocked by the tragedy.
Later, he told me, “Nirmala, I see the world much better than I did when I had my eyes,” He had a strong confidence in his voice. His observation gave me tremendous insight. If a man who had recently lost his sight sees the world better than before, then why couldn’t someone like me, who was born blind, suddenly realize than the world was much more beautiful?
It is my conviction that I can do what other people with eyesight can do. I cannot literally see the world like others, but I can perceive their visual world through sound and touch, and understand it naturally. In that way, the world for those with or without eyesight is the same.
In my world, sound and touch are the key to understanding everything and everyone, including my mother, whom I got to know from these two senses.
My mother always told me, “Don’t miss the slightest opportunity in your life, even if it is the size of a mustard seed, to touch and feel it.” There was a school near my house in Gulmi. My friends used to attend this school while I had to stay home. When the classes would begin , the wind carried the teacher’s voice to my ears! I focused my attention towards the direction of the sound and carefully listened to each word the teacher uttered. I learned my first letteres this way.
Later I studied with others blind children up to grade four. Then, I changed schools in fifth grade. I was the only blind student among the 600 pupils. My friends wrote with pens and I wrote with a pin. I also had colorful dreams and wishes like them, but I could not differentiate the types of colors. Gradually, it became difficult for me to answer science and math questions that were designed for the other students. There were not enough books in the school that I could read in Braille. I soon felt that this form of teaching was only meant for those with eyesight. Exam questions were asked on the basis of pictures and in my final school exam, I could not attempt many of the questions. Nevertheless, I passed my exams and felt confident in my abilities.
For me, my eyes are not the ultimate tool for understanding and enjoying life. It is the soul and the mind that perceive and understand the world around me. I have a dream to travel far and achieve something meaningful. I know my dreams will be fulfilled through sound and touch.
